One Direction Anger Ghana Residents With Tweets About Their Visit to the Country

One Direction meant well when they tweeted about their visit to Ghana as part of their involvement with Comic Relief, a U.K. charity that sponsors Red Nose Day, a telethon that helps provide support for impoverished regions of the world through comedy. When Niall Horan tweeted about the poverty and the slums he saw, it ignited a backlash from Ghanaians who felt that his perspective was skewed and unbalanced, as well as a publicity-seeking move.

Horan shared his views, and encouraged the world to open its eyes to the plight of others, via tweet. He wrote: "I've seen the slums right in front of me! This is no joke! They really need your help! Poverty is real." He also tweeted: "Massive thanks to @rednoseday for taking us to Ghana! It was incredible! Real eye opener! We take so much for granted over here!"

That sounds like the words of a concerned citizen who happens to be a member of the world's biggest boy band, right? Not so fast!

Apparently, the tweets that the band issued did not point out that there is more to Ghana than slums and poverty.

Musician Wanlov the Kubolor mocked the group and their status, sarcastically writing, "Ghana is getting worse so heaven sent 5 downcut jesuses to teach us clapping."

Actress Ama K. Abebrese posted a string of tweets on her feed, explaining why she felt the band's portrayal of the country was so unfair: “"NiallOfficial n @onedirection Your tweets about the slums and poverty of Accra, Ghana was very touching…….however … Next time, also tweet about the luxury hotel and VIP treatment and beauty of the country you enjoyed."

She also posted: "@NiallOfficial n @onedirection … I understand its for charity, but this highly negative image of sub Saharan African countries like Ghana….. that you choose to focus on without balance for the so many positive aspects to your millions of ff... serve mostly to reinforce negative stereotypes. I have donated to @rednoseday and it does good work. " She also stated: "so next time, please be #Balanced #ComeBetter There is more to Ghana, so much more."

Actress Lydia Forson echoed that viewpoint, writing, "Dear @onedirection next you visit a country, remember like yours there are beautiful and ugly parts. Don't base your views on one part."

Clearly, 1D and their comments, which seemed to have absolutely no malice whatsoever, ran afoul of the locals and the natives for only mentioning one side of the story.